jews come here to pray at rachel's tomb judaism's third holiest site. rachel was the beloved wife of jacob the third patriarch she died in child birth. muslims also reveer bethlehem. they believe the prophet mohammed stopped here escorted by gabriel on a visit the birth place of jesus. >> of course for christians bethlehem the city of king david is the birth place of jesus christ. >> you can see how it attracts people from all over the world because this is the birth of the savior not just of an important historical figure. >> father jerome murphy o'connor served in israel for 40 years he took us on the tour of the church of nativity along side major square. he has seen many changes. >> where have all of the christians gone? >> they are afraid to come. >> they are afraid of all of the turmoil and fighting that has plagued this area. >> this bethlehem used to be 100 percent christian. now it stands only above 35. >> i talked with people who used to wait in line for hours to get into the church of the nativity. now it looks like you can walk right in. >>